The George Institute welcomes Innovation Agenda to bolster research potential
The George Institute welcomes the government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda and investment in a culture of innovation that can catapult research output into real benefits for all Australians.
The George Institute also commends the emphasis on rewarding entrepreneurship, incentives for collaboration across research and industry, and investment in women in science.
Fundamental to the government’s vision of building a 21st century economy is a health system that operates as efficiently and effectively as possible.
One in two Australians are affected by chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. These diseases pose a tremendous social and economic burden, and with health a large part of government expenditure, we urgently need a complete re-think of how our health system works and how to get people the treatments they need.
As such, innovation and an entrepreneurial approach are critical to see research findings translated into clinical practice, to develop new ways of preventing and treating our biggest killers and causes of disability, and to drive future health system reform.
The George Institute is committed to commercialisation so that life-saving, research-based solutions can be scaled-up and implemented at a population level, and made available across many socio-economic and geographic settings.
As with the Medical Research Future Fund, the Innovation Agenda is a nation-building opportunity to leverage Australia’s wealth of health, medical and research expertise, and amplify our nation’s role as a world-class innovator.
The George Institute is focussed on increased innovation in health and we look forward to engaging with the government on these matters.
Examples of current George Institute innovation programs underway include SMARThealth, a digital platform to guide health practitioners with the management of patients with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or other related conditions; a series of ‘polypills’ (single tablets containing multiple drugs) to manage cardiovascular and metabolic diseases; and FoodSwitch, a smartphone app to help consumers make healthy food choices in the supermarket.